Lifestyles of the autocratic and famous

What ever happened to leading by example? In the midst of a "financial crisis" Barack and Michelle Obama seem to be animated by a spirit of livin' large.

The American press wasn't interested, so it fell to the UK Daily Mail to reveal that Barack Obama had a chef flown in from St. Louis (complete with cheese, dough, and pans) to make pizzas for himself and 20 White House staffers.

When you're the president of the United States, only the best pizza will do - even if that means flying a chef 860 miles.

Chris Sommers, 33, jetted into Washington from St Louis, Missouri, on Thursday with a suitcase of dough, cheese and pans to to prepare food for the Obamas and their staff.

He had apparently been handpicked after the President had tasted his pizzas on the campaign trail last autumn.

So while lecturing us on the need to make do with less and reduce carbon emissions, he jetted off to Chicago for Valentine's Day dinner with Michelle at a favorite restaurant (and left the "critical" stimulus bill unsigned after having claimed there was not even time for Solons to read it before passing it).

At least Jimmy Carter had the decency to turn down the thermostat in the White House and wear a cardigan sweater. It wasn't the right thing to do, but at least he understood that when a leader calls for sacrifice, he must lead by example.

Barack Obama actually makes Jimmy Carter look good. That has to be his biggest accomplishment to date.

Update: Tommy Christopher notes that the restaurateur is paying his own way in coach. Good for him. Now, how much did that Valentine's Day trip to Chicago cost the taxpayers?

What ever happened to leading by example? In the midst of a "financial crisis" Barack and Michelle Obama seem to be animated by a spirit of livin' large.

The American press wasn't interested, so it fell to the UK Daily Mail to reveal that Barack Obama had a chef flown in from St. Louis (complete with cheese, dough, and pans) to make pizzas for himself and 20 White House staffers.

When you're the president of the United States, only the best pizza will do - even if that means flying a chef 860 miles.

Chris Sommers, 33, jetted into Washington from St Louis, Missouri, on Thursday with a suitcase of dough, cheese and pans to to prepare food for the Obamas and their staff.

He had apparently been handpicked after the President had tasted his pizzas on the campaign trail last autumn.

So while lecturing us on the need to make do with less and reduce carbon emissions, he jetted off to Chicago for Valentine's Day dinner with Michelle at a favorite restaurant (and left the "critical" stimulus bill unsigned after having claimed there was not even time for Solons to read it before passing it).

At least Jimmy Carter had the decency to turn down the thermostat in the White House and wear a cardigan sweater. It wasn't the right thing to do, but at least he understood that when a leader calls for sacrifice, he must lead by example.

Barack Obama actually makes Jimmy Carter look good. That has to be his biggest accomplishment to date.